The inaugural National Gospel Music Heritage Month is now being supported by an exclusive Web site from Gospel Music Channel dedicated to all aspects of the September celebration.
The Web site, dedicated to extolling gospel’s long-standing contribution to American culture, will build toward September, adding such content as exclusive online performances; programming and videos; interviews with legendary genre artists who've kept the heritage alive; current and up-and-coming artists discussing their musical influences; and gospel facts and figures.
Throughout September, visitors will also find calendars of local gospel concerts and events happening in their area, as well as Web banners and other materials that can be used to spread information on Gospel Music Heritage Month.
Gospel Music Channel joined with members of Congress, The Recording Academy and the Gospel Music Association to launch the Gospel Music Heritage Month initiative. Legislation from the House of Representatives (H.Con. Res. 370) and the Senate (S. Res. 595) designated September 2008 accordingly.
On air, GMC will celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month with world and network premieres, documentaries, original specials and series, short-form and interstitial pieces, plus music videos.
Among the highlights: Mahalia Sings! featuring rarely-seen performances by Mahalia Jackson every Sunday at 7 p.m.; documentaries on the gospel works of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Al Green; special presentations of the net’s biography series Faith & Fame; and the world TV premiere of the 2008BMI Trailblazer Awards, held in conjunction with and prior to the Stellar Awards and featuring performances by some of the genre’s premier recording artists
